RESTAURANT REVIEW: SINABRO

Find first class cooking with French polish at this unique Clapham bistro. Words: Vicky Mayer

As SW11 residents know it’s not exactly hard to find somewhere to eat, any night of the week. But as the Northcote Road and Battersea Rise increasingly become dominated by chains, it’s great to see a stand-alone restaurant in the area that can stand up to the competition.

Sinabro on Battersea Rise is run by French chef Yoann Chevet, alongside his Korean wife Sujin Lee. Their dual nationality heritage has led to a unique blend of smart bistro-style cooking and fantastic Asian hospitality. The restaurant is dominated by a large bar where you can sit up and peer over at the cooks as they prepare your meal. It’s fascinating and makes the whole evening a real dining experience that’s perfect for a date night.

Chevet is a fine cook and on the night we visited we enjoyed a delicate foie gras with green been salad and a moreish plate of coppa ham with beetroot puree and pickled onions to start. Meanwhile Sujin recommended some great wines for each course, with the dry, refreshing Riesling a real find.

Our main courses of sea bass and a wild venison fillet were both exemplary, looking just as good as they tasted. Sinabro’s melting warm chocolate mousse with raspberry sorbet (and two spoons) finished off a perfect meal and a great evening. Though the vibe is laid back, the quality of the cooking is first class and the couple should be applauded for bringing a fantastic fine dining experience to SW11. While the prices are steeper than the competition, the food and service are more than worth it, with the set lunch menu an absolute steal at £11.95 for two courses and £13.95 for three.